Vote to select Hawley for Benjamin Moore paint contest

Hawley was nominated and named one of the top 100 towns in the running for 20 communities to receive a paint makeover. Anyone interested is invited to register their support online (www.paintwhatmatters.com) to help Benjamin Moore & Co. choose Hawley. VOTE DAILY THROUGH JUNE 30.

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By Peter Becker Managing Editor

News Eagle - Hawley, PA

By Peter Becker Managing Editor

Posted Jun. 27, 2013 at 4:32 PM
Updated Jun 27, 2013 at 4:38 PM

By Peter Becker Managing Editor

Posted Jun. 27, 2013 at 4:32 PM
Updated Jun 27, 2013 at 4:38 PM

HAWLEY

Benjamin Moore Paints has selected Hawley, Pa. to be in the running for one of 20 towns to be "repainted" as part of their latest promotion.

Hawley was nominated and named one of the top 100 towns in the running for 20 communities to receive a paint makeover. Anyone interested is invited to register their support online (www.paintwhatmatters.com) to help Benjamin Moore & Co. choose Hawley.

"If Hawley won this, not only would Main Street look great, but it would likely bring a lot of attention to the town," said Jill Carletti, local artist and owner of Harmony Presents.

Simon Knox, spokesman for Downtown Hawley Partnership, said it was not clear who nominated Hawley. Some time ago, a representative from Benjamin Moore Paints contacted Knox and asked if there was a need and Knox affirmed that Hawley would be a good choice. It appears the company was following up on a nomination.

With 100 towns competing for 20 slots, there is a one in five chance for any town.

In Pennsylvania there are two communities on the list, Hawley and Bloomsburg. Knox noted that since the contest is nationwide and also covers part of Canada, this isn't a race solely against Bloomsburg.

Narrowsburg, NY is also one of the communities in the running.

"The Visitors Bureau is super excited about this and would love to see our locals support and vote for our neighborhood town and bring the new colors to Hawley," said Alicia Quinn, Director of Public Relations, Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau (PMVB).

Partner organizations around the country are assisting Bengamin Moore, including Make It Right, which was founded by actor-philanthropist Brad Pitt.

Local Benjamin Moore dealers in conjunction with local municipalities, small businesses and local Chambers of Commerce are partnering with the promotion. The effort will begin this summer and the work on repainting these Main Streets will be completed over the next year.

Benjamin Moore will provide the paint and supplies needed for façades, porches, railings, shutters and other exterior building trims. Its color experts will consult on the best choices to enhance the architectural style, regional influences and historic references in each community.

"Our Main Streets are the vital hubs of our communities - and Benjamin Moore and our network of independent dealers have always been integral parts of Main Street," said David Melançon, Chief Marketing Officer of Benjamin Moore. "This investment we're making in communities around North America is core to our business and to who we are; Main Streets make us who we are and we're proud to honor that with this effort."

Many factors are involved in the final selection of towns to be painted. Final decisions regarding the 20 main streets to be revitalized, and how many stores will be included, will be at Benjamin Moore's discretion, the company states online. Nominations were taken taken through June 5. The web site has a map where you click the state or province and the the nominated town you wish to see win.

Page 2 of 2 - Votes are allowed once a day through the end of Sunday, June 30.

Knox said he was told this past week by Benjamin Moore Paints that Hawley is doing well. He encouraged people to vote.

There is also a spot to leave comments about why you are voting for the town you select, and what makes their town "special."

A list of Main Streets and towns to be repainted will be posted online by the company in July.

"Each time you vote, you'll receive a thank you message that includes several social sharing buttons," the web site states. "Use these buttons to automatically share your vote. And remember, revitalizing Main Street is a community effort! So spread the news each time you vote."

The web site address is http://www.paintwhatmatters.com/.

You may also visit the PMVB web site at http://poconotourismblog.com/2013/06/24/repaint-hawley-giveaway/.

Benjamin Moore & Co., a Berkshire Hathaway company, was founded in 1883. The firm is one of the country's leading manufacturers of premium quality residential, commercial and industrial maintenance coatings.